The "Real Madrid" team won 2-1 against "Rayo Vallecano" in the Spanish La Liga on Wednesday, a match where fans and players showed their support for Brazilian Vinicius Junior, who faced racial abuse again earlier in the week. The striker received an ovation before the match after enduring racial insults during the 1-0 loss to Valencia last Sunday. A banner behind one of the goals at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium read: "We are all Vinicius. Enough is enough," alongside other messages supporting the young forward.
Real Madrid players entered the field wearing shirts with the number 20, representing the Brazilian player. The captains of both teams wore armbands with anti-racism messages. Vinicius, dressed in non-sporting clothes and appearing distressed, joined his teammates on the pitch where he received a warm welcome from the fans as all players took a photo next to a formal league banner stating "No room for racists in football."
The player was not part of Real's lineup for the match despite the cancellation of the red card he received against Valencia and the penalty that followed. Spanish media reported that Vinicius missed training before the match due to a knee issue and watched the game from the stands alongside Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed surprise at the decision of the Spanish Football Federation’s competition committee, stating, "I think it was the right decision."
